“It all started with a dating app,” says Jordan Halsey, flashing a warm smile as she reflects on how she met her husband, Michael Weintraub. What followed was a whirlwind of love, relocation, and the discovery of a tight-knit community in Snell Isle—a place they now proudly call home.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Michael had spent years moving around—from New York City to Australia—before making his way back to Florida, where he graduated high school and had family ties. Meanwhile, Jordan was deep in her medical training in the Northeast. Their paths converged in St. Pete, and from the moment they met, “everything felt right.”

“We moved to Snell Isle about a year after meeting,” says Jordan. “Our real estate agent lived just a few blocks from the home we ended up buying.” It was off-market and everything about it just felt meant to be.

They fell in love with the house, the neighborhood, and their new life together. “It’s been beautiful ever since,” Jordan shares. “We’ve really connected with our neighbors—wine nights, group chats, and even texting through the storm. It’s the kind of community you dream about.”

Jordan is a pediatric plastic surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, specializing in cleft lip and palate surgeries. Her work spans from newborns to young adults with facial differences, speech disorders, and nerve conditions.

“As a kid, I used to watch Operation Smile commercials,” she recalls. “Now, I get to perform those life-changing surgeries. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Beyond the operating room, Jordan juggles research, committee work, and the everyday demands of life. Finding work-life balance is always a focus for her. Living in St. Pete helps with that. 

“It’s nice when you get out of the operating room and you walk to your car and it’s 80 degrees with the sun setting,” she smiles. That’s a lot better than the frigid days in New Jersey. Sunshine and being outdoors are psychologically beneficial. 

Michael works in tech sales for Salesforce, selling enterprise solutions to clients across the region. His career has taken him from New York to Sydney, broadening his horizons.

“Australia was amazing,” he raves. “With my holiday visa, I was able to spend a year in Sydney and work for a tech startup. I loved being in that part of the world.” What attracted him to Australia was the culture. “Everyone was so friendly and spoke English,” he comments. “There was a special vibe in the city.” 

Michael hadn’t felt that same vibe again until he came to St. Pete. “St. Pete has this magic in a bottle that you can’t find when you travel around the world,” he comments. He loves the beach, the water, and the exciting, vibrant nightlife. 

Now, with over two years at Salesforce under his belt, he thrives in his career while soaking in the peacefulness of Snell Isle. “This street is like something out of a movie,” he says. It’s communal, it’s warm, and it truly feels like home.

Married since 2022, Jordan and Michael embrace their double-income, no kids lifestyle to the fullest. They’re avid travelers—having recently explored Thailand, the UK, and soon headed for France. At home, they’re foodies who enjoy the local restaurant scene, frequent date nights, and cozy weekends watching college football.

But their favorite family member might just be Margo, their spirited five-year-old Dachshund. Jordan found her during a lonely COVID-era fellowship in Ohio.

“I saw her picture and it was love at first sight,” says Jordan. “I walked into that pet store and walked out with her in my arms.”

Margo now rules the roost. She’s fiercely protective of her home, tries to steal other dogs’ toys at daycare, and makes her presence known to every passerby. Even Amazon drivers are considered public enemies by this loyal pet. 

“She’s only 20 pounds but acts like she’s the boss,” Jordan laughs. Is she spoiled? You better believe it! “We celebrate her birthday every year with a cake. She’s never known anything but love and adoration.” Margo’s tail is wagging about that!

Despite their globe-trotting backgrounds and demanding careers, Snell Isle has become their grounding force.

From puppy walks to poolside brunches, date nights to neighbor gatherings, Jordan and Michael are living their best lives—and they’re thrilled to be doing it in Snell Isle. Jordan concludes, “We love living here.” They couldn’t imagine putting down roots anywhere else!